The All Progressives Congress (APC) has reportedly cleared aspirants believed to be loyal to former Rivers State governor, Nyesom Wike, while disqualifying all candidates allegedly aligned with Governor Siminalayi Fubara from contesting the party’s State House of Assembly primaries.
The development has further intensified the ongoing political tension within Rivers State, where both camps have continued to battle for control of the political structure ahead of future elections.
According to party insiders, the screening exercise conducted by the APC committee ended with several aspirants linked to Wike receiving approval to proceed, while those perceived to have close ties with Governor Fubara were denied clearance on grounds ranging from alleged irregularities in documentation to failure to meet internal party requirements.
The outcome has sparked reactions among party supporters across the state, with some members accusing the leadership of attempting to sideline certain political interests within the party. Supporters of the disqualified aspirants described the process as unfair and politically motivated, insisting that the screening lacked transparency.
Meanwhile, loyalists of the cleared aspirants defended the exercise, arguing that the party merely followed its constitutional guidelines and screening procedures without bias.
Political observers say the latest development may deepen divisions within the Rivers political landscape, especially amid the prolonged rivalry between camps loyal to Wike and Governor Fubara.
Despite the controversy, APC officials in the state have maintained that the screening process was credible and conducted in line with party regulations. The party leadership also urged aggrieved members to remain calm and make use of available appeal channels if dissatisfied with the outcome.
The situation continues to generate widespread attention as stakeholders await possible reactions from affected aspirants and key political actors in the state.